🧭 Confirm approval first🤝 Volunteer routes📄 Documentation may vary
California Community Service & Volunteer Resource Directory
This directory organizes California community service and volunteer routes that may support people navigating probation,
parole, pretrial release, diversion, reentry, court-related obligations, attorney referrals, school or program requirements,
or community-based service goals.
Important: OACRA does not determine whether any organization, referral agency, volunteer role, service site,
hour log, supervisor signature, remote task, faith-based activity, thrift-store shift, food pantry shift, animal-care role,
public-agency assignment, park-cleanup assignment, construction project, or community-service placement satisfies a court order,
probation condition, parole condition, pretrial release condition, diversion agreement, agency referral, attorney recommendation,
school requirement, or program requirement. Always confirm approval, restrictions, schedule, supervision, documentation, payment,
background-screening, role limits, and completion requirements directly with the court, supervising officer, attorney, program
coordinator, referring agency, and volunteer organization before starting hours.
Provider visibilityCalifornia volunteer sites
Does your organization accept community service volunteers?
Volunteer centers, food banks, shelters, thrift stores, animal shelters, parks programs, municipal routes, libraries,
public-service programs, faith-based community programs, and other volunteer sites may request listing updates or enhanced
visibility on OACRA.
📍 Regional and county visibility
📄 Clear hour-documentation expectations
🧭 Built for courts, supervision, reentry, diversion, and referral partners
Support California community service directory coverage
Organizations, sponsors, public agencies, community partners, nonprofits, and regional programs can help strengthen California
coverage across Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, the Central Valley, the Central Coast, Sacramento, Northern California,
and rural counties.
📌 Statewide and regional coverage
🤝 Referral agencies, food security, parks, shelters, animal care, municipal, and nonprofit routes
No matching results found. Try a broader search term, remove the service filter, or use the statewide volunteer and referral routes to confirm active community service options.
Statewide & Online Hubs
Coverage: Statewide volunteer directories and referral routes. Confirm the organization, referral route, or public agency is currently accepting community-service volunteers, can sign required forms, and is acceptable for the person’s specific court, probation, parole, diversion, pretrial, or agency requirement.
Local routes Community service routes
California Volunteers – Office of the Governor
State office that hosts a searchable database of volunteer projects across California. For court-ordered hours, confirm each project with your officer.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Online
2-1-1 California (United Way)
Call 2-1-1 from anywhere in California to find local nonprofits, food banks, shelters, and programs that may host community service volunteers.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Dial 211
Confirm-first Additional routes
JustServe.org – Community Service Platform
Online platform listing service projects for churches and nonprofits statewide. Some projects may accept court-ordered hours with prior approval.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Online
VolunteerMatch / Idealist.org
Large volunteer search engines. Many listings are fine for community service, but you must ask each site if they sign off court-ordered hours.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Online
Los Angeles County
Coverage: Los Angeles County routes and volunteer centers. Confirm the organization, referral route, or public agency is currently accepting community-service volunteers, can sign required forms, and is acceptable for the person’s specific court, probation, parole, diversion, pretrial, or agency requirement.
Local routes Community service routes
LA Superior Court – CSRA List
Community Service Referral Agency route associated with Los Angeles Superior Court information (e.g., Assistance League, Volunteer Centers). Use the list when ordered by an LA court.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Countywide
Volunteer Center – South Bay / Harbor / Long Beach
Runs a community service referral program and HAM/MADD classes for LA County courts; multiple offices in Torrance, Long Beach, and LAX area.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
(310) 212-5009
Southern California Service Corps (Pomona)
Volunteer center in the Inland Valley that places court-related community service workers with partner agencies in and around Pomona.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
(909) 629-1187
Confirm-first Additional routes
Community Referee / CRCS-Type Programs
Some LA-area agencies operate Community Service (CRCS) programs that match defendants to nonprofit worksites. Follow the specific instructions on your court paperwork.
Referral routeConfirm first
Access
Confirm locally
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Varies
L.A. Works – Volunteer Action Center
Large volunteer center offering projects across LA County. Some projects may sign off community service hours; ask staff before registering.
Ask About
available projects • nonprofit status • site supervisor • paperwork policy • referral instructions
Area
Online / Countywide
211 LA – Community Service Referrals
Information and referral line that can point you to food banks, shelters, and nonprofits that sometimes host court-related volunteers.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Dial 211
Bay Area & North Coast
Coverage: San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin and nearby counties. Confirm the organization, referral route, or public agency is currently accepting community-service volunteers, can sign required forms, and is acceptable for the person’s specific court, probation, parole, diversion, pretrial, or agency requirement.
Local routes Community service routes
Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
Accepts court-related community service volunteers for certain non-violent cases at its food distribution sites. Requires online request and approval.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Countywide
Central California Food Bank (visitors from Bay Area courts)
Allows some court-ordered/community service volunteers at its distribution warehouse with prior approval and paperwork.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Fresno-based
Confirm-first Additional routes
HandsOn Bay Area
Volunteer hub connecting people to projects with schools, parks, and nonprofits around the Bay. Some partner sites may sign off hours with approval.
Ask About
available projects • nonprofit status • site supervisor • paperwork policy • referral instructions
Area
Bay Area
Regional 2-1-1 Lines (Bay Area)
Dial 2-1-1 in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, etc., to ask for nonprofits that regularly work with volunteers and may accept court-related service.
Food / pantryConfirm first
Access
Confirm locally
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Dial 211
San Diego & Imperial Counties
Coverage: San Diego and Imperial County routes. Confirm the organization, referral route, or public agency is currently accepting community-service volunteers, can sign required forms, and is acceptable for the person’s specific court, probation, parole, diversion, pretrial, or agency requirement.
Local routes Community service routes
HandsOn San Diego – Court-Ordered Volunteers
Structured process to register as a court-related volunteer and complete hours through partner projects across San Diego County.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Countywide
San Diego County Parks & Recreation
County program that enrolls adults needing court-related community service or hard labor to complete hours through park maintenance projects.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Countywide
City of San Diego – Parks & Recreation
Offers court-related community service assignments (litter pickup, park clean-ups, etc.) through an online application process.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Countywide
The San Diego LGBT Community Center
May allow court-related volunteers for certain signature events (e.g., Dining Out for Life) and phone banking with prior coordination.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
San Diego
San Diego Humane Society
Animal welfare nonprofit that can verify some court-related community service hours after volunteers meet its orientation requirements.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Regional
Central Valley
Coverage: Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Kings, Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin and nearby counties. Confirm the organization, referral route, or public agency is currently accepting community-service volunteers, can sign required forms, and is acceptable for the person’s specific court, probation, parole, diversion, pretrial, or agency requirement.
Local routes Community service routes
HandsOn Central California (Fresno)
Volunteer center that connects people to court-related service opportunities in the Fresno area through its Court Referral staff.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Bakersfield
Poverello House (Fresno)
Hospitality and meal program that accepts some court-related community service volunteers, usually referred through HandsOn or partner agencies.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Fresno
Confirm-first Additional routes
Good Samaritan Training Center – Food Pantry
Food pantry in Stockton that notes it can host court-related community service volunteers for basic warehouse and distribution tasks.
Food / pantryConfirm first
Access
Confirm locally
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Stockton
Regional Food Banks (Valley-wide)
Many county food banks (Fresno, Merced, Stanislaus, etc.) use volunteers and sometimes accept court-ordered hours; ask to speak with volunteer coordinator.
Food / pantryConfirm first
Access
Confirm locally
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Valley-wide
Central Coast / Santa Cruz & Monterey
Coverage: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo and nearby Central Coast communities. Confirm the organization, referral route, or public agency is currently accepting community-service volunteers, can sign required forms, and is acceptable for the person’s specific court, probation, parole, diversion, pretrial, or agency requirement.
Local routes Community service routes
Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County
Runs a community service referral program that assigns people with court-related paperwork to nonprofit worksites and tracks hours for the courts.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
(831) 427-5070
Confirm-first Additional routes
Local Volunteer Centers & JustServe / VolunteerSLO
San Luis Obispo and Monterey areas use volunteer hubs (like VolunteerSLO or JustServe) to connect people with projects; some may work for community service.
Shelter / basic needsConfirm first
Access
Confirm locally
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Regional
Sacramento & Northern Sierra
Coverage: Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Nevada, Shasta and Northern Sierra routes. Confirm the organization, referral route, or public agency is currently accepting community-service volunteers, can sign required forms, and is acceptable for the person’s specific court, probation, parole, diversion, pretrial, or agency requirement.
Local routes Community service routes
HandsOn Sacramento – Court-Ordered Service
Regional Center for Volunteerism that lets some people complete court-related community service through partner agencies.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Sacramento
Confirm-first Additional routes
Placer SPCA – Community Service Projects
Animal welfare nonprofit offering youth and community service projects; some locations may allow court-related hours with prior approval.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Roseville
City of Roseville – Volunteer Center Listings
Online portal that includes some agencies (e.g., Goodwill, MADD) that may host court-related community service after screening.
Ask About
intake process • fees if any • referral rules • accepted paperwork • completion reporting
Area
Roseville
Approval & Documentation Guide
Use this section before starting any hours. California courts, counties, referral agencies, supervision offices, and volunteer organizations may use different rules.
Confirm approval before starting
Ask your court, officer, attorney, diversion coordinator, or referral agency whether the specific site and role are acceptable before completing hours. Do not rely only on a website listing.
Ask how hours are documented
Confirm whether the site can provide signed logs, letterhead verification, supervisor contact information, dates, total hours, and any completion form required by the court or program.
Check restrictions and fees
Some referral agencies or sites may charge administrative fees, limit offense types, require orientation, restrict minors or vulnerable-client contact, or refuse remote/unsupervised tasks.
Faith-based service must be service-focused
Food pantry, clothing closet, cleanup, meal service, or community-benefit tasks may be treated differently from worship, teaching, proselytizing, or religious participation. Confirm first.
Keep proof after every shift
Ask for a signature after each shift when possible. Keep copies of forms, emails, registration receipts, referral documents, and completion letters until the court or program confirms acceptance.
Use referral-agency instructions when assigned
If the court directs you to a specific community service referral agency, follow that agency’s registration, payment, assignment, and reporting process instead of choosing a site independently.
OACRA disclaimer: This California Community Service & Volunteer Resource Directory is provided for resource-navigation and referral-support purposes only.
OACRA is independent and does not provide legal, supervision, case-management, clinical, medical, emergency, or court-administration advice.
OACRA does not determine whether any organization, referral agency, public agency, volunteer role, hour log, supervisor signature, remote task, faith-based activity,
thrift-store shift, food pantry shift, animal-care role, public-agency assignment, park-cleanup assignment, construction project, or community-service placement satisfies
a court order, probation condition, parole condition, pretrial release condition, diversion agreement, school requirement, attorney recommendation, agency referral,
or program requirement. Users should confirm all approval, eligibility, payment, documentation, attendance, reporting, background-screening, travel, and completion
requirements directly with the court, supervising officer, attorney, referral agency, program coordinator, and volunteer organization before starting hours.
